Resilient tire for vehicle-wheels.



W. W. BROGA.

EESILIENT TIEE PoE VEHICLE WHEELS.

APPLIUATION FILED FEB. 1| 1910.

1 ,035,078. Patented Aug. 6,1912.

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W. W. BROGA.

EESILIENT TIEE PoR vEEIoEE WHEELS.

APPLIOATION FILED PEBJ, 1910.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

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W. W. BROGA.

RBSILIENT TIRE FOR VEHICLE WHEELS.

APPLIOATION FILED 118.1, 1910.

1,085,078. Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

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W.. W. BROGA.

RESILIBNT TIRE PoR VEHICLE WHEELS. APPLICATION FILED PEBJ, 1910.

1,035,078. Patented Aug. 6,1912.

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UNITED STATIFATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM W. BROG-A, OEI SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

RESILIENT TIRE VFOR VEHICLE-WHEELS.

T o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM WV. BROGA, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Resilient Tires for Vehicle-"Wheels, of which the following' is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates-to resilient tires for wheels and has for its object to produce a tire which will give satisfactory cushioning results for an indefinitely prolonged period even when subjected to hard or rough usage `under comparatively light or heavy loads.

An object of the invention may be otherwise stated as being to produce a resilient tire in which springs are employed (entirely doing away with any pneumatic tube or pneumatic appliance) and to provide an organization or combination and arrangement of parts so that when the tire is placed under a deflecting force any point wherever its tread may be, each and all of the comparatively large number of springs comprised in the tire will be equally under compression or stress and whereby violent and extreme yieldings of the springs are avoided by reason of the distribution of the strain throughout all of the springs of the series.

Other objects of the invention are to improve the tire in its details of construction.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts and the constructions of certain of the parts all substantially as described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and set forth in the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automobile wheel having my improved t-ire thereon, a portion of the latter being represented as broken away and in partial section for clearer illustration. Fig. 2 is a sectional view centrally through a portion of the rim of a vehicle wheel and through a portion of the improved tire, on a very much enlarged scale and on a plane atI right angles to the axis of the tire provided wheel. Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7 are cross sectional views respectively on the lines 3 3, L -4:, 6 6, and 7-7, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view Vof one of a series of saddle like members embodied in the tire. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of a series of metallic equipments comprised in the tire. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of fur- Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 1, 1910.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

serial No. 541,234.

ther metallic equipments, a series of which are provided in the tire. Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view on the scale of Fig. 1, represent-ing a slight modification in construction to be hereinafter referred to.

In the drawings-A represents the rim or felly of an automobile wheel which may be, of any suitable material, and form or design, the same having a circumferentially extending flat ring or rim A2 understood as formed as part of or rigidly aiiixed to the felly and having at opposite sides thereof outstanding annular ring plates B B held to the rim-ring by the bolts C and nuts a a,these ring plates B B constituting with the rim ring A2 an outwardly opening channeled formation for the felly portion of the wheel and serving as important factors as supports for parts and devices comprised in this invention.

D represents a ring, which in the present instance is represented as of a U-shaped formation, cross sectionally, the same somewhat loosely encircling the felly and its rim ring and being free and independent of the latter and capable of having a degree of rotative movement around the rim ring entirely independent of the latter and of the wheel which carries it. This ring D which, to avoid confusion of terms, and so that it may not be confounded with other annular or ring like parts of the improved structure, will be hereinafter referred to as the floating ring; and it has slightly curved slots b in its opposite side walls through which rigid rods or studs c are transversely extended (see Figs. l, 2 and 3),-the extremities of these rods extending through the side ring plates B B and are held in confinement by the nuts c2 which are also serviceable for the confinement of the clamp rings d arranged at opposite sides of the wheel and which hold the Hanks or inner edge portions of the outer tire covering E in its place. The cross sectionallv U-shaped floating ring has slots or recesses e in its base or portion adjacent the rim ring to render it free of. and to be unobstructed in its slight rotative movements by, the through bolts or studs C.

G Gr represent saddles which are of hollow construction or, more definitely, as represented in perspective in Fig. 5, in the form of inverted U-shaped downwardly and endwise open blocks or rigid shells having in their opposite side walls, f, at the ends of the latter vertically elongated openings f2, f2. Every other one of the saddles Gr of the series employed in the tire have, especially at their ends in which the apertures f2, f2 are formed, the outer or extreme transverse dimension as represented by the dimension line f3, Fig. l, while the relatively intermediate saddles are made with the distance between their opposite walls just enough wider to match over the outer surfaces of the first mentioned and alternated saddles, somewhat in the manner of chain linka-the overlapped end portions of the adjacent saddles being represented at the upper portion of Fig. l. These saddles have engagements with and for supporting the tread portion E of the tire and receive when the tread portion is deflected under load inward movements, that is in lines radially toward the felly and serve as members for operating the levers H H.

The t-ransverse studs g or bolts having end supports on the opposite side ring plates B B and confined by the nuts g2, constitute fulcrum supports for the levers H, guides tothe inward and outward movements of the saddles and means for preventing the saddles from having any creeping' motions relatively to the felly. The saddles may have interlocking engagements, if desired, with the interna-l portion of the tread or outer shoe of the tire, as by the dove-tail ribs ft on the backs of the saddles which fit in transverse dove-tail shaped channels f5 therefor in the tread, and the saddles may be connected with the tread by the rivets f, asrepresented in Figs. 2 and 7.

Upon depression of the wheel and deflection of the ground-contacting tread portion, one or mo-re of the saddles are positively moved toward the axis of the wheel, resulting in a. swinging of the outer arms L of the angular levers H which are located within and inclosed by the saddles, causing, by the inner arms h2 of the levers a pushing movement, circumferentially of the wheel, of the Vblocks J which by the transverse studs z' connect them with and for slight oscillating motions on, the floating ring, so that under the movement imparted to any one, or perhaps two or three, of the blocks J by the levers adjacent the ground, the floating ring must be circumferentially moved, in a degree, relatively to the felly of the wheel. The blocks J being all connected as seen by the studs z' to the flo-ating ring, and forming a plurality of pushers for the latter, compress all of the spiral springs L in the series, and which are distributed entirely around in the tire,-each and every spring being resisted at its end opposite that borne against by the lever adjacent thereto by a stop or abutment member which in the present instance is constituted by a ring shaped piece M which is connected to the opposite side plates B B of the wheel rim by the aforementioned transverse studs or through bolts 0,-it being appreciated4 that such, or an equivalent form of, connections, of the parts M with the rim of the tire, render the spring rests or abutments lvl to all intents and purposes the same as integral portions of the rim. And so no matter whichever one, twoor three of the levers near the ground may be operated by the deflected tread portion of the tire through the saddle or saddles, the resultant effect will be that the ring caused to be circumferentially moved will, through all of its pushers J', compress in equal extent or degree each and every one of the spiral springs L distributed in uniformly spaced relations entirely around the tire.

rlhe circumferentially movable floating ring D has slots y', the lengths of which range in the circular length of the ring, and which slots are represented in Figs. 2, 4 and l0, and by dotted lines in Fig. l. rlhese slots provide that the floating ring which is supported in numerous places in its circular length on the transverse rim sustained studs g will be 'free for its all suflicient extent of circumferential or rotatively shifting movements relatively to the rim and wit-hout being obstructed by the said cross studs on which they are supported.

7c /c represent roller bushings which surround the opposite end portion of the cross stud g inside of the side ring plates B B, the same constituting anti-friction members not only for the circumferentially moving floating ring but for the substantially radially moving saddles,-it being noted that the roller bushings are of a length, each, approximately equal to the combined thicknesses of the slotted end portions of the matched together saddle walls and an adj acent side wall of the trough or U-shaped floating ring.

Fig. 2 is to be understood as representing the ground contacting portion of the tire as being under a natural degree of flexure or deflection in a direction 'inwardly toward the wheel axis so that at least o-ne of the levers H is caused to have a positive rocking movement and cause its arm h2 to directly impart a movement to the memberl J, which is to all intents and purposes a fixture of the floating ring,-although this member J may have a degree of oscillation so that its line of pressure will always be maintained truly endwise against the spring L. Now inasmuch as the floating ring being moved by one of the rocking levers H, the many other of the members or spring pushers J at spaced locations around the tire and remote from the lever or levers positively rocked by ythe ground contacting deflected/tread portion of the t-ire, will be Ibodily lcarried by the ring D away from contact with the respectively adjacent arms 71,2 of nearly all of the rocking levers of the series, establishing perhaps a tendency for these levers to vibrate or rattle; and to overcome this possibility the blocks or pusher members J are constructed with pockets m in elongated or hub provided portions m2 thereof in which are fitted plunger blocks n which are outwardly forced by the spiral springs 0 held in compression between the plunger blocks and the inner end walls on the pockets.

The tread member or outer shoe for the tire, represented by E, may be of any suit-' able material and specific form; and in the illustrations here given it is understood as composed of several layers p 20 of leather to which circularly continuous side or flank extensions p2 are provided, these portions p2 being secured to the tread portions P by riveting, and these extending inwardly and to have overlapping engagements on the opposite sides of the ring plates B of the rim and held by the clamp rings Z which as hereinbefore stated are held in their confinements by the nuts 02 which hold the transverse studs o in their given set positions on the trough shaped wheel rim. As specifically shown, a layer w of any suitable material such as leather or semi-rigid fiber is interposed between the saddles and the tread portion of the tire, the same being understood, however, as, to all intents and purposes, .being a part of the tire tread. The upstandinor dove-tail rib ft at the back of each saddle may have an interlocked engagement in a correspondingly shaped recess therefor transversely formed in the inner portion w of the tread member or shoe.

The layers constituting the tread portion of the shoe vmay be united by rivets r which increase the durability of the appliances and also serve as antiskidding elements. The floating ring having the form of a trough and the saddles also of trough form constitute in their matched or partially telescoped relations a sheath or inclosing casing for the respective series of springs L, rocking levers I-I, spring pushers J, and the spring rests or` abutments M. As perceived in the several cross sectional views, this tire together with the rim B tightly incloses an annular chamber in which the h2 as represented in the other views of the drawings a gear toothed portion 7&5 which meshes with said rack s, and thus a substantially equivalent means for imparting the circumferential movement to the floating ring is exemplified. 4

`Although Figs. l to 9 of the drawings herewith are devoted to illustration of a resilient tire comprising a preferred combination and arrangement of parts for the attainment of the primary object of the invention (that is the resisting of deflection at any part of the tire by distributed stress entirely around the tire against a comparatively large number of springs), I desire expressly to state that my invention is not limited to the form and details of construction here provided and with particularity described, for many changes relating` to matters subordinate to the broad aspect of the invention may be made without departing from the latter.

I claim:-

l. In a resilient tire for a vehicle wheel, the combination with a rim, of a flexible tread portion, a ring circumferentially movable relatively to the rim, a series of springs arranged about the rim having connections or engagements with the latter' and otherwise free for compression and reaction relatively to their engaged portions, and levers arranged around the rim, individually subject to movement by deflected portions of the flexible tire tread and Operative to circumferentially move said ring, said ring being operative against the stress of all of the circularly arranged series of springs.

2. In a resilient tire for a vehicle wheel, the combination with a rim, of a flexible tread member, a ring circumferentially movable relatively to the rim, a series of springs arranged around about in the tire having connections or engagements with t-he rim and otherwise free for compression and reaction relatively to their engaged portions, levers arranged around, and pivotally sustained by, the rim, rigid saddles between the levers and the inner sur face of the flexible tread member, any one of the levers when swung being operative to circumferentially move said ring, and said ring in turn operating against the stress of all of the circular-ly arranged series of springs.

3. In a resilient tire for a vehicle wheel, in combination, a tire supporting rim, a circumferentially arranged flexible shoe or tread member, a ring free of, and circumferentially movable relatively to, the rim, abutments for springs carried by the rim,v lever fulcrums also supported by the rim, rocking levers on said fulcrums subject to movements by deflections of respectively adjacent portions of the flexible tread member, and having engagements with, and for atively to the rim, abutments at intervals supported by the rim, levers having fulerums, supported by the opposite side walls of the rim, springs seated against said abutments and with all of which said ring has strain imposing engagements, and a flexible tire tread appliance, operative, by deflection of its any part, to operate an adjacent lever and through such lever to circumferentially move said ring.

12. In a resilient tire, a rim having opposite annular side walls, studs transversely extending between and sup orted by said side walls a floating ring o' trough shape having slots in its opposite side portions and engaged by said slotted portions with said studs, rocking levers fulerumed f on said studs and operated by deflections of the tread member, abutments at intervals supported by the rim, spring pusher members carried by the floating ring, springs inter posed between said pusher members and said abutments, the levers having motion imparting engagements with the floating ring.

13. In a resilient tire, in combination, a trough shaped rim, abutment studs transversely extending, at intervals, between the opposite walls of' the rim, and lever supporting studs also transversely extended at intervals between and supported by the opposite side walls of the rim, a floating ring of trough shape having slots in its opposite side members and by such slotted portions having supporting and guiding engagements with the lever studs, and having in its opposite sides further slots whereby it is unobstructedly movable relatively to the transverse abutment studs, spring pusher members fixed in the floating ring, at intervals, a tread member, rocking levers fulcrumed on said lever studs, arranged to be operated by the deflections of' the tread member and operative to circumferentially move the floating ring, and springs between the pusher members and said abutment studs.

14. In a resilient tire, in combination, a trough shaped rim, abutment studs transversely extending, at intervals, between the opposite Walls of the rim, and lever supporting studs also transversely extended at intervals between and supported by the opposite side walls of the rim, a floating ring of trough shape having slots in its opposite side members and by such slotted portions having supporting and guiding engagements with the lever studs, and having in its opposite sides further slots whereby it is unobstructedly movable relatively to the transverse abutment studs, spring pusher members pivotally mounted in the floating ring at intervals, a tread member, rocking levers fulerumed on said lever studs, arranged to be operated by the deflections of the tread member and operative to circumferentially move the floating ring, abutment pieces mounted for oscillation on said abutment studs, and springs between the pivotally mounted pusher members and said oscilla-VY tory abutment pieces.

Signed by me at Springfield, Mass., in presence of two subscri ing witnesses.

WILLIAM W. BROGA.

Witnesses:

WM. S. BELLows, G. R. DRIscoLL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenti. Washington, D. C. 

